Wright Chat

We are working with a client who owns a 1950's era FLW House. The mahogany trim and furniture are now an amber brown color even where it has not been in the direct sunlight. The color of the wood does not look great with the original red stained concrete floors. The client had some millwork in a shed from the original kitchen cabinets and a piece of original wood trim. These were amber brown except where cabinet hardware covered the original finish and the back side. In these two locations the stained trim was definitely reddish amber brown, which would look better with the red stained or colored concrete floors. Does anyone know if the original stain color on the mahogany would have been reddish amber brown or amber brown?

Am no expert on this, but have done research for my own project. It is not likely that FLLW would have specified any stain for the wood of the house. His preference was a clear satin finish varnish for the 1950's houses. The amber brown color sounds more like "clear and light" Philippine Mahogany, often "ribbon-sliced" for the plywood, that was used in later 1950's, as Red Tidewater Cypress became more expensive. Could the reddish color under the hardware be a result from contact with metal? There is a good chance that Taliesin has the original specifications booklet on file for the house. Would you reveal what house this is, as others may have experience with this particular house?



Doug Kottum, Battle Lake, MN

A few years back the Conservancy opend the Frank Sander house up for tours. That house was mahagony and appeared to have a dark alomost black colored stain used inside and outside of the house.

The Sander House had a Philippine Mahogany interior. Recent photos indicate that the interior finish may have been restored. The surface of most wood is slightly translucent, and if finished without stain it reveals it's most beautiful character, even an apparent depth, as the light is reflected from within. Paints, stains, and shiny finishes diminish or destroy this characteristic. FLLW most surely recognized this, and wrote extensively about revealing the natural expression of materials. Many believe he took this too far by suggesting exterior woods be left to weather to a beautiful grey color. Usually mold would penetrate the surface, and produce a mottled black, brown, and grey surface.



Doug Kottum, Battle Lake, MN